1. In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
The Christian Bible says; "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen," (Roman 11:36, NIV). Moreover, as John talks about logos, he says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." (John 1:1-4, NIV) Whether it is the Way or the Word, both Taoism and Christianity discuss the mysterious origin that leads to truth. Moreover, just like Tao Te Ching which says, "Divorce wisdom and abandon intelligence, And the people will benefit a hundred-fold. Divorce humanity and abandon righteousness, And the people will return to filial piety and compassion. Divorce shrewdness and abandon profit, And there will be no thieves," Jesus criticized Pharisees, who were self-righteous, and Sadducee, who went after the worldly profit, and said that people should have children's mind in order to get into the kingdom of heaven.
2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
As Tao Te Ching lists these sources of disturbance in the world, "honoring men," "wanting rare things," "paying attention to the desirable," Buddha talked about our negative desires which lead to suffering and ways to stop the suffering by controlling our desires. Moreover, Confucius said that the alienation from "the humanity" is the source of problems and talked about strengthening "the humanity," within people to cease the chaos of the warring states period. All three system of beliefs point out the sources of disturbance and try to get rid of them.
3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
Instead of trying to figure out clever ways to benefit in this world, one should control one's inner self, practicing mindfulness all over oneself, to live one's life fully without creating disturbances.
4. Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
While Confucius discusses the ways to enforce "humanity" in people by having the ruler setting the example and promoting the right ways to live, Tao Te Ching is against any willful human actions to affect or manipulate people. Such concepts are similar to Anarchism, where there is no willful governing. I do not believe such a system would work in these days, since the society has become too complicated and such a system is too idealistic.
5. Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I think that Lao Tzu is saying that one should abandon the strong headed mind that wants to command other people into doing what one think is right. I agree, since the desire to take control among people and to force something on them leads to disaster and chaos. People who are ambitious create problems in this world because they want the power to control others, while such control will only create problems in the world.
Taoism:
Why does the author choose a butterfly?
The butterfly represents changes as it goes through metamorphosis. At one state, a butterfly is simply a caterpillar without the ability to fly. When it completes the metamorphosis through several stages, it represents a rather attractive creature with the ability to fly. This shows how living things can change drastically. We often see the world through our fixed mind, separating one thing from another. However, as this metamorphosis implies, such a mindset of differentiation and separation is actually false; Chuang Tzu may be a butterfly, and a butterfly may be Chuang Tzu, shifting through stages as a butterfly does in its life.
What is the importance of the water cycles?
The circle is an important shape representing the continuity without the end. The water cycle represents the change and this is important because the author implies that change is always happening without the end.
What is the point about the 'man raising melons'?
A man raising melons is in modern days a farmer. This farmer used to be the king. This shows how a person's position can change from the top of the society to the very base. It is saying that one must accept the way things are and understand that change is constant.
What is the author attempting to convey to the reader?
In life, there can be drastic changes. Nature and season change constantly and such changes are inevitable. One should know what change is waiting in front of him and be prepared for it. Hence, the position that one holds is not important because it will soon change to something better or worse. Moreover, one should see the world through a free mindset of non-discrimination and non-separation, as things constantly change into other states.
What do religion and philosophy have in common?
Religion and philosophy are a different form of beliefs and studies in the correct ways for people to live. They have in common which acts are considered sins and people try to achieve the absolute happiness by following the words in the religion or the philosophy.
Why is study of religion and philosophy important?
The study of religion and philosophy can guide a person's life. People's individual lifestyles are changed by their spiritual belief in a religion and philosophy. With the influence on people's lives religion and philosophy may shape culture and even history for some cases. Religion and philosophy revolves around us and that is why it is important to study them.
1. In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
The Christian Bible says; "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen," (Roman 11:36, NIV). Moreover, as John talks about logos, he says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." (John 1:1-4, NIV) Whether it is the Way or the Word, both Taoism and Christianity discuss the mysterious origin that leads to truth. Moreover, just like Tao Te Ching which says, "Divorce wisdom and abandon intelligence, And the people will benefit a hundred-fold. Divorce humanity and abandon righteousness, And the people will return to filial piety and compassion. Divorce shrewdness and abandon profit, And there will be no thieves," Jesus criticized Pharisees, who were self-righteous, and Sadducee, who went after the worldly profit, and said that people should have children's mind in order to get into the kingdom of heaven.
2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
As Tao Te Ching lists these sources of disturbance in the world, "honoring men," "wanting rare things," "paying attention to the desirable," Buddha talked about our negative desires which lead to suffering and ways to stop the suffering by controlling our desires. Moreover, Confucius said that the alienation from "the humanity" is the source of problems and talked about strengthening "the humanity," within people to cease the chaos of the warring states period. All three system of beliefs point out the sources of disturbance and try to get rid of them.
3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
Instead of trying to figure out clever ways to benefit in this world, one should control one's inner self, practicing mindfulness all over oneself, to live one's life fully without creating disturbances.
4. Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
While Confucius discusses the ways to enforce "humanity" in people by having the ruler setting the example and promoting the right ways to live, Tao Te Ching is against any willful human actions to affect or manipulate people. Such concepts are similar to Anarchism, where there is no willful governing. I do not believe such a system would work in these days, since the society has become too complicated and such a system is too idealistic.
5. Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I think that Lao Tzu is saying that one should abandon the strong headed mind that wants to command other people into doing what one think is right. I agree, since the desire to take control among people and to force something on them leads to disaster and chaos. People who are ambitious create problems in this world because they want the power to control others, while such control will only create problems in the world.
Taoism:
The butterfly represents changes as it goes through metamorphosis. At one state, a butterfly is simply a caterpillar without the ability to fly. When it completes the metamorphosis through several stages, it represents a rather attractive creature with the ability to fly. This shows how living things can change drastically. We often see the world through our fixed mind, separating one thing from another. However, as this metamorphosis implies, such a mindset of differentiation and separation is actually false; Chuang Tzu may be a butterfly, and a butterfly may be Chuang Tzu, shifting through stages as a butterfly does in its life.
The circle is an important shape representing the continuity without the end. The water cycle represents the change and this is important because the author implies that change is always happening without the end.
A man raising melons is in modern days a farmer. This farmer used to be the king. This shows how a person's position can change from the top of the society to the very base. It is saying that one must accept the way things are and understand that change is constant.
In life, there can be drastic changes. Nature and season change constantly and such changes are inevitable. One should know what change is waiting in front of him and be prepared for it. Hence, the position that one holds is not important because it will soon change to something better or worse. Moreover, one should see the world through a free mindset of non-discrimination and non-separation, as things constantly change into other states.
What do religion and philosophy have in common?
Religion and philosophy are a different form of beliefs and studies in the correct ways for people to live. They have in common which acts are considered sins and people try to achieve the absolute happiness by following the words in the religion or the philosophy.
Why is study of religion and philosophy important?
The study of religion and philosophy can guide a person's life. People's individual lifestyles are changed by their spiritual belief in a religion and philosophy. With the influence on people's lives religion and philosophy may shape culture and even history for some cases. Religion and philosophy revolves around us and that is why it is important to study them.